Howden and Schmidt set early pace as Ski Cross teams prepare for new World Cup season

With the 2026/27 FIS Ski Cross World Cup season approaching, some of the sport's biggest names have already returned to competition, while leading European teams are stepping up their preparations for another winter of racing.

Canada's Reece Howden and Hannah Schmidt delivered the standout performances at the South American Cup finale in Corralco, Chile, winning both of their respective races from 30 September to 1 October.

For Howden, a four-time Crystal Globe winner, the double victory provided an encouraging competitive start to the new season. The Canadian finished ahead of compatriot Kaleb Barnum and Chile's Mateo Racloz in the opening race before beating American Jack Mitchell and Racloz in the second.

Schmidt was equally successful in the women's competitions. She led a Canadian sweep of the podium in the first race, finishing ahead of Olympic champion Marielle Thompson and Emmeline Bennet. Schmidt followed that performance with another victory the following day, this time ahead of Roxy Coatesworth of Canada and Japan's Lin Nakanishi.

The results underlined the strength of the Canadian contingent competing in South America, with several established World Cup athletes using the Southern Hemisphere winter to gain valuable race experience before the circuit returns to Europe.

While the South American Cup provides a different competitive environment from the World Cup, the opportunity to test race speed, starts and tactics against international opposition offers a useful benchmark during preseason preparations.

Switzerland begins a new chapter

While Canada's leading racers have been competing in Chile, Switzerland is preparing for the winter under new leadership.

Stefan Abplanalp has taken over as head coach following the departure of Enrico Vetsch, who stepped down after four seasons in charge.

The transition follows another successful campaign for the Swiss team, which collected 12 World Cup podium finishes, two Olympic medals and its fifth Ski Cross Nations Cup title during the 2025/26 season.

Fanny Smith remains one of the country's leading figures after collecting six World Cup podiums last winter, including her 36th career victory in Craigleith, Canada. She also claimed silver at Milano Cortina 2026, completing a run of three consecutive Olympic medals.

Alex Fiva added Olympic bronze to his silver from Beijing 2022, while Tobias Baur and Saskja Lack contributed further World Cup podium finishes.

However, the Swiss team will begin the season without two familiar names.

Jonas Lenherr has retired from competition after 14 World Cup seasons, although he will remain involved in the program as a coach. Romain Détraz has also ended his career following 11 seasons on the circuit.

Their departures open opportunities for younger athletes, including Chiara von Moos, who won the European Cup overall title and two gold medals at the 2026 Junior World Championships in St. Moritz.

For Abplanalp, the challenge will be maintaining Switzerland's position among the leading Ski Cross nations while supporting the next generation's progression.

Italy's Olympic medalists return to training

Italy is also preparing for the new campaign with its leading athletes back on snow.

Olympic champion Simone Deromedis and silver medalist Federico Tomasoni headline an eight-athlete training group at Passo Stelvio from 14–17 October.

The camp, overseen by technical director Bartolomeo Pala, also includes Edoardo Zorzi, Dominik Zuech, Paolo Piccolo, Filippo Rossi, Jole Galli and Andrea Chesi.

After their success at the home Olympic Winter Games, Deromedis and Tomasoni now turn their attention toward the World Cup season and the 2027 World Championships in Montafon, Austria.

Their preparations add another dimension to the early-season picture, with Canada's racers already collecting victories in South America and Switzerland beginning a new chapter under Abplanalp.

Three European stops to open the World Cup season

The 2026/27 FIS Ski Cross World Cup season gets underway in December with three consecutive stops at well-established venues on the circuit.

The action begins in Val Thorens, France, from 8–11 December, before moving to Arosa, Switzerland, on 14–15 December. The traditional pre-Christmas stop in Innichen, Italy, officially listed as 3 Zinnen Dolomites, will round out the opening stretch from 18–20 December.

All three venues have become familiar fixtures on the Ski Cross World Cup calendar, setting the stage for a busy start to the season before the circuit takes a break over the holidays.

After the first competitive outings in South America, December will bring the world's leading Ski Cross athletes back together for the opening World Cup races of the new Olympic cycle.